Zelenskyy urges tougher pressure on Russia to force peace talks

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that sustained pressure on Russia is necessary to create conditions for peace talks, as he appealed to Kyiv’s international partners for increased financial and military assistance.

War spending gap

Speaking after a Coalition of the Willing summit in Kyiv, Zelenskyy estimated Russia’s war expenditure at around €340 billion, compared with approximately €140 billion for Ukraine. He did not specify the period covered by the figures. Ukraine, he added, is also dealing with a budget shortfall of about €27 billion.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine possesses drones and missiles capable of reaching targets between 350 and 3,000 kilometers away, but argued that limited funding prevents Kyiv from producing these weapons at the scale it needs. He also called for greater long-range strike capabilities as Russia intensifies attacks from a distance.

Pressure aimed at negotiations

According to Zelenskyy, making the conflict more costly for Russia could increase domestic pressure on President Vladimir Putin to enter negotiations. He argued that Ukraine needs to conduct deep strikes at a scale comparable to the intensity of Russia’s attacks, rather than simply trying to match Moscow financially.

“We need the same competitive number, not of money, because they have two times more money for today,” Zelenskyy said, describing military pressure as one possible instrument for bringing Russia to the negotiating table.

Black Sea corridor remains under pressure

Zelenskyy also said Russia has sought to disrupt Ukraine’s maritime trade routes without fully closing the Black Sea corridor. He said three or four vessels continue to enter and leave the Greater Odesa area each day despite attacks on port infrastructure.

Kyiv is examining several measures to preserve the route, including possible discussions with Russia and stronger air defenses along the corridor. Zelenskyy said shipping volumes remain well below previous levels because of Russian drone and missile attacks.

New aid packages and coalition plans

The Ukrainian president said additional military and energy assistance would follow the summit, with air defense systems and funding for domestic drone production among the priorities. He said Ukraine is pursuing PAC-3 systems through the PURL mechanism and working to accelerate the FREYJA project.

Zelenskyy also said French President Emmanuel Macron had proposed stronger action against Russia’s shadow fleet and that a separate meeting could be held on the issue. He urged Coalition of the Willing members to meet regularly, saying another gathering has been requested for September.

The summit brought leaders together in Kyiv and by video on Monday to mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence.